Thursday, July 21, 2011

Warm and Cool and Done

My Warm/Cool quilt is complete! And I think it's destined to be one of my favorites.

I've run the numbers on this quilt before, but let's do it again, because I spent a gazillion freaking hours making these HSTs, so you can listen to me blather on about it one more time. There are 266 HSTs in this quilt and a total of 219 different prints. That's two hundred and sixty-six and two hundred and nineteen, thankyouverymuch.

I free-motion stippled it—making this my second FMQ attempt ever. So don't look too closely. : ) The stitch lengths are a little psycho in some places. But overall I'm pleased with my quilting and I think it's a definite improvement over my first FMQ'd quilt.

Remember how I took all the purple HSTs out, because they just weren't working for me on the front? Here they are in all their purpliciousness on the back. Kona Cotton solids, mostly from the Gen X Quilters Kona swap, rounded things out.This quilt was also my first attempt at spray basting. I've seen so many blog posts about how wonderful spray basting is that I was starting to believe the quilt just magically basted itself. Sadly, that is not the case. : )

Immediately after basting, I had pretty mixed feelings about this basting method. First of all, I know it's sprayable glue and all, but OMG, that stuff is sticky. And somehow I managed to get it everywhere—my hands, my feet, my knees, my kitchen floor, and I think possibly the dog. When I discovered the mess on the kitchen floor (which fortunately was easy to clean off), I moved to the basement. But like most basements, mine is dusty and dirty and gross, and all of that dusty dirty grossness ended up stuck to me, thanks to the fact that I was covered in, you know, sprayable glue. I literally had to take a shower when I was done basting! Is this normal, or am I just exceptionally bad at spraying glue on things? I was using June Tailor's, not the 505 that everybody raves about, so maybe that was the problem? I bought June Tailor's because it's the only brand my sub-par Joanne's carries, but I might try ordering 505 online for next time.

Another issue was that I basted one side, flipped it over, and ... giant wrinkle in the batting, right down the middle of the quilt. Much swearing ensued. I basically had to rebaste the thing, but from the other side, which hardly seems ideal.

But I got it basted in the end, and in spite of all my problems, I got it doneso much fasterthan I could have using pins. It really is a huge time-saver. And now that the quilt is completely done, I can say with certainty that I am another spray-basting convert. Hello, there are no pins to remove! That is particularly awesome when doing FMQ. Even more importantly: No puckers. Like, anywhere. Thank you, spray basting. I can tolerate your quirks if you continue to keep up your end of the bargain like that.

So anyway, that's my Warm/Cool quilt. It's like 97 degrees here, but this afternoon the girls insisted on using it while watching Team Umizoomi (shark car! shark car!). I guess that's a pretty good endorsement of this quilt.

Size: 54" x 74"Design: Warm/Cool Quilt-Along by Jeni at In Color Order (thank you, Jeni!)Fabric: Anybody who can name all 219 prints gets a drink on me at the Sewing SummitBinding: Mini Muu dot by LecienBack: Mostly Kona Cotton solidsQuilting: FMQ stippling

Sorry about the bad pictures. It was a bit breezy for quilt photography the last few days—this was the best I could do.

60 comments:

Super cool, I love that dotty binding, it's awesome!!! For what it's worth, I find the June Tailor basting spray to work best for me - the 505 never seems quite sticky enough to actually do the job well enough, but I know a lot of people swear by that one. Awesome finish!!! I adore what you did with the back :) And yay for FMQ!!

I absolutely love this quilt, I can say it's honestly one of my new favorites. So striking. The back turned out great too.

I am a spray baste fan! I use the JA's stuff too. It is really really sticky and I've had the same problem with the batting crease. I just hang it on the wall and use it as my design wall and the wrinkles are usually gone by the time I'm ready to sandwich.

1. love those purple blocks on the back! they look like glittery gemstones.2. yes, spray basting is extremely stick and gets everywhere; i haven't figured out how to do a controlled spray yet.3. batting wrinkles are frustrating, but not that noticeable after quilting and washing, so don't feel like you HAVE to rebaste.

That is why I never spray baste....the stickiness that I can never get off my floor! Plus the warning on the label that says please do not use if you breathe. :) Ok maybe not...but it still stinks. The quilt is lovely!

It's gorgeous! I love how colorful it is. And good for you for sticking with all of those HST's, I would have given up ages ago. Well, maybe not. More like I would never start if it meant that many. The results are so worth it though, it is seriously a beautiful quilt.

I have been a June Tailor fan since I started quilting, it's the only one I've ever used. But the last can I bought seems to be so much stickier than any I have ever owned and has caused me a lot of grief. I end up a sticky mess too and have to literally peel the spray off of my fingers when I'm done. Not to mention how badly it keeps gumming up my needle. I wonder if they changed the formula? I just ordered a can of 505 to try out. It costs more for a much smaller can though, which I'm not happy about. We'll see how it goes I guess!

I had the same problem with spray basting recently too (for the first time) - and I was also using a generic brand =/ almost the same things you said - except yes, on a positive note, it was quite a time saver. But your HSTs are lovely! Beautiful job :)

i used to use basting spray, but I am strange and I enjoy pin basting. :PI did buy a can this week, though, to try for some smaller projects-I find that pin basting works great for dense quilting and I get no puckers even if I skimp on pins. But when I want to do less quilting, I think the basting spray will keep the layers together better.But like you, I found it to be REALLY sticky. And I had a hard time getting it off of our cheap vinyl flooring...so my preferred method is still to pin baste on the hardwood. :)

Oh, one thing that helped me and I'll do it again, is to spray the SMALLER pieces (like spray the batting if it's slightly smaller than the backing, and alway spray the top instead of the batting) outside. Then bring the stuff inside layer by layer and baste on the floor. It's more work, but I seriously hate the stick! (I always spray the smaller pieces b/c I don't like the sticky overhang.)

And I'm a total convert to spray basting. I've tried the June Tailor stuff and the 505 stuff and I'm a definite believer in you get what you pay for in this case. Even my husband could tell the difference (he's a professional painter) and he will sometimes help me with the larger projects. The 505 was MUCH easier to work with. I won't ever buy the cheaper stuff again. It was better on my machine too!

It's very pretty, Lee. I love the movement created by the triangles. Say, wanna join an HST swap?! (giggle)

I don't care for basting spray. I've tried it several times, mostly spraying outdoors because the overspray is problematic. If I use it again, it will only be on small projects - wall hangings, pot holders and the like.

Your Warm/Cool quilt is gorgeous! I made one, but the baby size, so it was a lot easier to handle as far as the quilting. I am a spray-baster, and I use the 505. I think the fact that its not quite as sticky as the Joann's stuff makes it less of a mess (for me). I also don't spray right up to the edge of the fabric, so I rarely have overspray on the floor. And I don't do any flipping. I spray the backing, lay on the batting, smooth it out, then spray the batting and lay on the top. I usually swiffer-wet the kitchen floor right before I baste a quilt. Its the only large wood floor i have available...

The one time I spray basted I used Sulky and was very happy with it... I definitely didn't get totally sticky myself and the floor was only a bit sticky, I just sponged it off quickly and it was fine. I have heard it can be tricky to do with larger quilts so maybe that is what you were getting into... totally agree that no pins to take out while quilting makes it so worth it, too.

Beautiful quilt Lee! All those different fabrics! You must have some kinda stash!I just started using 505 spray basting and there certainly was a bit of a learning curve for me, however my knees are eternally grateful for the switch! The smell of the stuff is a bit overpowering as well, especially in the winter months with windows closed! But, like you, I am a convert!

I LOVE the quilt. And spray basting. I use the June Taylor and am quite happy with it. I've never had a problem of it getting everywhere though. I do use an old king sheet to protect the ground, then I just toss it in the wash when I'm done. Even with a few wrinkles in the batting, as long as the fabric is fine the batting wrinkles usually sort themselves out in after the first wash.

This a beautiful quilt. I am obsessed with HSTs and I know how much work they are but I always think it is worth it in th end. Thanks for sharing your spray basting experience.....I have yet to try it but I am always afraid I mess the whole thing up.

I have spray basted several quilts, and found the easiest and cleanest method was to pin down the backing fabric, attach the batting to the clothes line outside by the smallest turnover on corners and a couple of pegs along the length, spray really well around the edges and following a grid sort of pattern (making sure no washing was hanging anywhere else on the line), obviously on a day that was not windy! Have handy hubby hold onto other corner to carry inside and place over the backing and smooth out. Do the same thing for the top. I always did a little bit of pinning around the edges as a precaution. I have to admit to being a cotton batting convert now and use pins (so much cheaper and more economical!) PS Love the quilt :)

Beautiful!Always spray outside - masking tape the edges of the backing to a big old bit of cardboard, and off you go. You might have to pick off the odd bug that gets glued to the batting, but no glue on your floors, so not really a problem xx

I absolutely love your quilt. It's beautiful, and impressive stats too.I use 505 but have only used it on smaller quilts, it's so much easier. I do add a pin or too just in case, but I've never had a problem with it.

I love your quilt, so colourful and happy looking.I'm a 505 girl, I find as long as I don't over spray, just quick even sprays over the fabric and put newspaper underneath, it all works out ok.I did over spray one large quilt and then felt like a mortician quilting a corpse once thou Lol!

Lovely and what a fun back. I too have had trouble with the spray basting. I however got it all over everything in the kitchen and spent hours trying to clean it up before asking (I mean admitting to) my husband for help, because I couldn't get it off my ruler.

Ahhh ... the elusive alternative to pin basting. Looks like you may have found it! I've been wanting to try spray basting but haven't had an opportunity yet. I just won a roll of fusible batting in a giveaway and hope to try that on my next quilt.

this is totally amazing! it looks fantastic and I think the back looks fabulous with the purple!!

I'm a spray baster with June tailors - here are my tips! When doing something this large, get someone to help you flip everything. My hubby knows the drill now. It's easier to flatten everything and flip it nicely. And I have a drop cloth (aka old bedsheet) that I use to keep my floor from getting sticky and the quilt from getting dirty. the more you do it, the easier it gets!!

Awesome - and I love that back! And super cool info about the spray basting. I actually ordered my first can of 505 early this week to give it a try. I'm worried about puckers while quilting, but It sounds like things may go ok for me.

I'm a 505 fan when spray basting but I am using a lot more fusible batting now (cheaper than buying batting and spray). I use the Hobbs Heirloom fusible for everything from postcard size to large quilts.

Love this! I tried a rainbow on a mini one of these, fab design isn't it? I use 505 and love it. I do get slightly sticky fingers but protect the floor by laying out a large sheet from the laundry box first and doing the quilt on top. It doesn't matter if the sheet gets sticky, cos you're gonna wash it anyway! (I found this tip online somewhere, it's not an original!)

One of my favorites, ever!! Love the colors, love the design, love the fmq. Who cares if it's perfect? It's done, it's beautiful, and no one will examine it as harshly as you will. Great job, Lee. Oh, and great use of those leftovers on the back too.

After spending a semester spraying my charcoal and pastel drawings, I swore I would never try spray basting my projects. I would spray my drawings outdoors but the smell followed. I can't imagine sitting at my machine and smelling the spray. Plus, what would it do to my machine? I am a pin-baster for life. :)

Wow, you had me laughing! Thanks! Pin? Spray? For me it depends on which hassles I want to deal with...LOL. Although I do prefer spray. I have used the fusible batting. Once. Not a fan. The quilt itself is stunning. Thank you for sharing it. Truly beautiful! As for naming the prints, well, I am pretty sure I have that one nailed...Here we go "219 pieces of art by Lee of Freshly Pieced" :-)

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